Civil War
2024
****½
Director: Alex Garland
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman; Jesse Plemons, Sonoya Mizuno, Jefferson White, Nelson Lee, Evan Lai
A Civil War has broken out between the authoritarian federal government and the seceded Western Forces (of Texas and California). Two journalists and two war photographers are heading to Washington, D.C., but they are forced to take a long route through Virginia. Alex Garland's topical dystopia reflects the current polarisation in the US. However, like the journalists on screen, who only record and report the events, his subtle film doesn't really take sides in the conflict. This leads to an unpredictable and thought-provoking drama that slowly builds towards a tense and action-packed climax. While the lead performances are great, Jesse Plemons gives a mesmerising and scene-stealing cameo. The sound design is brutally loud.
